16
votes
Is hitting hard objects really effective in making bones harder?
Yes, but... (and it's a big "but")
Two things stimulate bone density:
Damage
Generally our biological systems are set up so that if something is damaged, cells lay down more, tougher material ...
- 8,313
12
votes
Accepted
How do I avoid getting a cauliflower ear while practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
A common precaution is to wear wrestling headgear, which is designed to protect the ears, while practicing. Cauliflower ear is caused by impacts or rubbing on the ear. Headgear will reduce both of ...
- 13.8k
11
votes
Is hitting hard objects really effective in making bones harder?
Yes, hitting objects does make your bones more solid.
Bones are primarily made up of two parts, and outer layer and an inner layer.
The outer is a thin layer of compact bone (cortical bone). The inner ...
- 340
10
votes
Accepted
How to win a street fight without putting anyone's life in danger?
In a case where you have to face more than one opponent, in a case where putting someone into submission is not enough to end the fight:
If you're more comfortable with the idea of using submissions, ...
- 4,130
9
votes
How to win a street fight without putting anyone's life in danger?
There's two goals here, and they don't necessarily overlap.
Less harmful techniques
The techniques less likely to result in serious injury or death for your opponent(s) are to restrain them. ...
- 8,313
9
votes
Mouthguards and judo
I clacked my teeth together during a takedown and ended up with a tiny chip of one of my front teeth. Now I never get on the mats without a mouthguard.
If you have trouble breathing with a normal ...
- 91
9
votes
Does practising judo increase the likelihood of sustaining a brain injury?
Yes, playing judo introduces the risk of brain injury.
Judo is a contact sport. Competitive judo is a very contact sport. If you play rough and don't take ukemi properly, you risk concussion. The ...
- 20.8k
8
votes
Unexpected vs expected hits to sensitive areas
Parlor tricks
Just about all of the demonstrations along these lines you will see are set up in such a way that the force is not applied the way you think.
Breaking sticks over back? Notice that ...
- 8,313
8
votes
Accepted
What are generally non-lethal stab areas on the body?
Erm...it is really hard to stab someone once so that it is lethal within, say, 30 Minutes. People can go on fighting with 10+ stab wounds for quite some time and the rib cage is quite a good ...
- 7,295
7
votes
How can I speed up the recovery of a bruised leg?
Despite ice's enduring popularity and former recommendations for its use in RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment, ice is no longer recommended for reducing inflammation or bruising. Gabe ...
- 13.8k
7
votes
Accepted
How to avoid knee injury?
I train in Taekwondo and had a similar problem with my knees (though after a few years of training).
At the time, my doctor diagnosed "chondromalacia patella", which he said was caused by an ...
- 1,545
7
votes
Does practising judo increase the likelihood of sustaining a brain injury?
Based on this NYTimes article: The frequency of judo deaths in Japan gives 108 deaths since 1983. I will not paraphrase the article but other nationality report no deaths in the last decade or so. I ...
7
votes
Accepted
Is the way US military academies teach boxing atypical with respect to concussions?
An analysis of the literature in 2006 presented data for a number of team and individual contact sports.
Concussions in boxing were identified at a rate of 0.8/10 rounds (for pros) or 7.9/1000 man-...
- 697
6
votes
Mouthguards and judo
I've had one very minor chip from being seoinage'd (by a girl half my size). Some guys wear mouthguards, especially in newaza (ground fighting), and it's not a bad idea.
- 20.8k
6
votes
Blisters from sticks
When I was doing Doce Pares Escrima several years ago, I ran into the same problem. I used cloth athletic/medical tape to cover up the blistered areas to give them a chance to heal and at one point, ...
- 11.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Blisters from sticks
Blisters can happen initially. I think it happens to everyone new to stick fighting. It's nothing to be too worried about. It probably just means you were over-eager in your training and went too hard ...
- 18.1k
6
votes
Accepted
What forms of martial arts are recommended for existing injuries?
While certainly some injuries are contraindicated to different movements, it really depends on the specific injury and the extent.
Having a muscle tear is different than multiple fractures with ...
- 8,313
6
votes
how to survive not doing hardcore Judo after losing your ACL forever
First things first, I think you should see a doctor that could give you a "go". A specialist could tell you if he thinks it would be safe for your knee if you restarted doing martial arts. If the ...
- 888
6
votes
Accepted
"Lighter" but effective martial art
So you have two qualities you're looking for in a martial art:
It shouldn't put you in a position where you have to really fight your way out (because you have an injured back that won't be able to ...
- 18.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Getting back up after getting knocked down: How to recover quickly and get rid of the dizziness?
If you are sparring hard and you get hit, you don't have the time to pause and call your family doctor. I want to know how experts (i.e., those who have serious sparring experience) deal with this.
I'...
- 7,816
5
votes
Does practising judo increase the likelihood of sustaining a brain injury?
According to the following paper, Injuries in judo: a systematic literature review including suggestions for prevention:
severe injuries in judo are rare, but when they do occur they are mostly to ...
- 7,702
5
votes
Accepted
How do you prevent/mitigate finger injuries in judo/bjj?
My first tip for you is about how you can protect your joints. Well, first try to relax your arm. If you have relaxed arms this will make it much harder for your opponent to break your grip. The grip ...
- 1,155
5
votes
Accepted
Avoiding big toe skin split
This is a problem for me as well. This is usually due to friction tearing your skin open as you try to pivot.
Look for some shoes you can wear during training. Skeletoes work really well for me, ...
- 3,897
5
votes
Avoiding big toe skin split
I second taping your toes. I use Johnson's & Johnson's athletic tape to tape my toes and I rarely have any issues with the tape slipping or falling off, in fact, I have to cut it off with a knife ...
- 119
5
votes
What forms of martial arts are recommended for existing injuries?
As with all questions of this type there are too many options and the answers will be highly subjective.
I broke my back (L4) when I was 16 and started Tae Kwon Do when I was 18.
My recommendation ...
- 2,709
5
votes
Is hitting hard objects really effective in making bones harder?
I'll focus my answer on why you want to do that, and if it's an effective/safe way to achieve the goals that you are truly seeking (because even if you can increase your bone density, this does not ...
- 201
5
votes
Accepted
How to avoid knee pain/injury during Shikko waza?
Bad knees
If you have bad knees, as in medical professional has told you they are bad, then you should avoid any exercise that damages them further. Your coach/teacher should modify the exercises so ...
5
votes
Accepted
How risky is it to practice grappling martial arts (eg Jiu Jitsu) with a weakened arm bone?
That sounds like a great question for your doctor! Honestly, that's who you should be talking to about this. Your doctor can do a bone density scan and look over your medical history to know exactly ...
- 18.1k
5
votes
Help for Cauliflower Ear
In the US, the proper doctor to see is an Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) specialist. I went to a regular primary care physician with the suspicion of cauliflower ear, and they sent me away because they did not ...
- 13.8k
5
votes
How do you interact with treatment providers who are unfamiliar with martial arts following an injury?
ACL tears can end athletic careers. Although treatment has improved over the years, there is no guarantee that you can fully recover from an ACL tear. In your previous question, I linked a news ...
- 13.8k
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